Government hearing services

Are you eligible for subsidised hearing services?

For some people, the reason they haven’t proceeded with addressing their hearing problems could be the cost. Did you know that the Australian Government provides subsidised hearing services for people who meet certain criteria?#

I’m a pensioner or Veteran.

The Australian government hearing services program# aims to reduce the impact of hearing loss, by providing eligible people with access to a range of hearing services including comprehensive hearing assessment, a wide range of quality fully subsidised hearing devices and an optional annual maintenance agreement to receive repairs and batteries to support their hearing device for a small fee.

You may also be entitled to the following:

Your hearing assessed by one of our highly trained and qualified clinicians.

If the hearing test assessment indicates that you have a degree of hearing loss, your clinician can assist you and recommend an appropriate model from a range of hearing aid devices.

Your clinician will also advise you on how to get the maximum benefit from your hearing aids.

A National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participant with hearing needs, referred by a planner from the National Disability Insurance Agency.

If so, you may be eligible for the Hearing Services Program#. Speak to your Audika clinician if you are unsure.

Community Service Obligations component of the program.

If you are not eligible under the above criteria, you may be eligible under the Community service obligations program. If this is the case, you may be eligible to receive hearing services if you are an Australian citizen or Permanent Resident and fulfil one of the criteria’s below:

An Aboriginal person and/or Torres Strait Islander who:

Is over 50years of age OR

Is a participant in the Remote and Community Development Programme and the Community Development Employment Projects and received hearing services before 30th June, 2013.

A person under 26years of age:

The Community Service Obligation program may allow children and young adults with hearing loss to receive government hearing services#.

If so, you may be eligible for the Hearing Services Program#. Speak to your Audika clinician if you are unsure.

Audika is an accredited provider with the Department of Health and our friendly team at Audika can advise whether you are eligible for government subsidised services#. We want to make this process as simple as possible for you and will help check whether you are eligible for subsidised hearing services and devices under the Australian Government Hearing Services Program#. We will also assist in filling out your application.

The Application Process.

If you are new to the program, you will need to obtain a medical certificate from your medical practitioner. Your medical practitioner will need to confirm that there are no medical conditions that may prevent you from getting a hearing device, if needed.

Once your application has been processed, you should receive a services voucher for a subsidised comprehensive test at any of our Audika clinics.

If you find out that you are eligible, provide us with you eligibility card number (such as Centrelink or DVA) and we can also assist you in filling out the next part of your application paperwork and answer any questions you may have.

Once your application has been completed and your Doctor’s signature has been obtained, we can arrange your appointment for a hearing test with one of our government accredited clinicians.